The Coronation Of King Jesus

Title: The Coronation of King Jesus

Alex Navalny ? Russian activist - poisoned in August 2020 – and almost died.

• he received ed Medical Care in Berlin

• then - he Returned To Russia – and was Immediately Arrested.

• Sent to Siberian prison – killed – on Feb 16, 2024. (age 46); wife and 2 children.

Why did a man with a wife and 2 children return to Russia knowing he would be arrested ?

Transition - Why did Jesus walk into a deadly ambush in Jerusalem?

See Matt 20:17 Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, 18 “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death 19 and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

Today’s text (Palm Sunday);

Luke 19:28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

1. The Problem - Shalom is Elusive

Our world is in big trouble today – & in Jesus’ day, Jerusalem Was In Trouble - (And It Still Is)

… in the 21st century – we find peace elusive – in our own hearts – and in our 21st cent. World it seems more elusive than ever.

• War in Ukraine… ( 2 plus years now)

• Since October 7th - War in Israel (AGAIN) – hostages/Massacre/

• Hong Kong…Taiwan

• Haiti ( in a state of chaos )

• Cuba (Protests)

• Corrupt governments abound

Here at home…

• We face a serious housing crisis…

• inflation/food inflation…

• climate change…

• Morality is now being decided on an entirely new paradigm - the principle of “emotivism” (do what feels right to you.)

• truth and moral absolutes have been sacrificed to this new god.

First Century Jerusalem:

a. Politics – Roman occupation

b. Religion – was rife with hypocrisy

c. Economically – poverty & subsistence living prevailed. (Tax collectors & greedy merchants were the winners)

d. Socially – women and slaves were exploited.

God’s grand vision for Israel – covenanted with Abraham – & the 10 commandments -for Israel to be a kingdom of priests to proclaim the one true God to the nations - was in shambles.

Prophet after prophet was sent – preaching repentance…

Peace - God’s “Shalom” was nowhere to be found.

You and me also – in the 21st century – we too find peace elusive – in our own hearts – and in our 21st cent. world, - it seems more elusive than ever.

*Ironically, Jerusalem is the most fought over city in the entire history of the world!

Hope is scarce… (then and Now)…peace is elusive--- anxiety is epidemic